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Each ceramic piece of pottery is made by hand and no two pieces are identical. The artists sign each piece that they create, so buyers are not only purchasing a functional piece of ceramic, but a high-end piece of art as well.

The company started with only three artists and borrowed equipment. Now the company employs 34 staff members (28 artists and 6 factory workers) all from local communities. They foster creativity within the company and often develop new shapes and products in consultation with the aritsts. view more...

The Shona people from Zimbabwe and are best known for their skills in sculpting the different varieties of stone found in Zimbabwe. Shona sculpture is steeped in the legend and traditions of an ancient African culture, yet stunningly modern in appearance. Shona sculptors, transcending geography and time, create in the living stone profound expressions of the human condition. Sculpting by hand with simple and found tools, these self-taught artists carve in indigenous serpentine, springstone, opal stone and rare precious verdite among others. The result is a diverse body of work alive with dynamic, spiritual themes. view more...

NGWENYA - (Siswati name for "crocodile") A small group of Swazi craftsmen and women - with age old artistry breath life into enchanting interpretations of the animals of Africa, imbuing each with its own irresistible personality. Each item is handmade from 100% recycled glass, most of which is from Coke bottles, gathered from all over Swaziland. Not only are the people of Swaziland encouraged to collect the bottles, but Ngwenya works with the local schools to instill in the children a sense of environmental awareness. In exchange for building materials and the sponsorship of the soccer team, the students must participate in clean-up campaigns.

As if willing the survival of the wildlife species that inspire their craftsmen to produce works of art; in 1989 Ngwenya Glass launched the Kingdom of Swaziland's most successful wildlife conservation fund. by donating a percentage of profits from its worldwide sales. read more...

These hand made, intricately detailed bead and wire animal figures are made with exceptional craftsmanship, unusual designs and attention to detail that bears a striking resemblance to its counterpart that roams the wild. Each piece is the culmination of many hours of highly skilled work, patience and dedication. view more...

Bark cloth making is an ancient craft performed by the Baganda people who live in the Buganda kingdom in south Uganda. For over 600 years, craftsmen of the Ngonge clan have been manufacturing bark cloth for the Baganda royal family and the rest of the community, headed by a kaboggoza, the hereditary chief craftsman, who lives in the Nsangwa village in Mawokota, situated in Mpigi District.

The inner bark of the Mutuba tree (ficus natalensis) is harvested during the wet season and then, in a long and strenuous process, beaten with different types of wooden mallets to make its texture soft and fine and give it an even terracotta colour. Craftsmen work in an open shed to protect the bark from drying out too quickly While common bark cloth is terracotta in colour, bark cloth of the kings and chiefs is dyed white or black and worn in a different style to underline their status. view more...

African Tribal Masks are used for specific events or gatherings, such as funerals or ceremonies. Although African masks are commonly seen throughout Africa, each African society has their own unique mask that symbolize themselves and their culture.

Most African societies have no extensive written culture so masked dances serve to teach people right from wrong. Masks are also carved to represent a culture's ideal of feminine beauty. Animal masks connect people with the spirit world that traditional African beliefs say inhabit the forests and open savannas. view masks...

We have recently partnered with Amazon.com to give you Books, Music & more in the Gems of Africa Gallery Bookstore. The items in this section can only be purchased through our Amazon store and are NOT available for sale in our gallery. Some items are one of a kind or are in limited quantity so they may no longer be available. Items in this section change frequently so keep a look out for new items to be added. view now...

Remember, you don't have to travel to Africa for fine African Art; just visit Gems of Africa Gallery for all of your African art needs.

We would like to introduce you to Gems of Africa Gallery; a family business owned and operated by Keith Washington and Wallene Jones since 1981. Originally located in New York, we have been in business in Atlanta since 1997.

The staff at the Gems of Africa Gallery is dedicated to presenting you the best of African Art. To ensure the quality of our merchandise and to keep abreast of new artists and artifacts available, we travel to Africa twice a year and hand pick all of the items for the gallery. Many of the artists that we deal with are not interested in the marketing aspect of the business, so we provide the marketing expertise for them.

We are Atlanta's leading resource in contemporary African art. We feature original paintings, Shona sculptures, Tribal masks, South African pottery, Ngwenya Glass and many other items which are all hand crafted in Africa. Although we carry art from many countries in Africa, we specialize in original art and sculpture from South Africa and Zimbabwe which is why we are able to give you the best and largest selection anywhere in Atlanta.

Upon entry to the gallery, you are taken on a visual journey to countries in Africa such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Congo, Benin and the Ivory Coast, just to name a few. Every piece of artwork is intricately detailed portraying the emotions of the artist's subject matter.

Remember, you don't have to travel to Africa for fine African Art; Just come to Gems of Africa Gallery for all of your African art needs. We are located at 630 N. Highland Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30306 (between North Ave. & Ponce DeLeon) in the Poncey Highlands neighborhood; just around the corner from the Jimmy Carter Center & Library.

Headrests are found in many cultures throughout the world and serve as a kind of "pillow" used by people to sleep. They are a longstanding and widespread form created by African sculptors and are typically made of wood. . The user could sleep either on his back with the headrest under the base of his neck, or on his side with the headrest under his chin and one ear.

They had shaped or concave upper pillow platforms and a base, showing uniformity in shape and decoration according to region or tribe. The function of a headrest was to elevate the neck, head or side of the face, so that elaborate or braided coiffures could be protected when sleeping and be free from soil or dust. view artifacts...

Zulu Baskets

The Zulu are the largest tribe in South Africa, renowned for their artistry and craftsmanship. The Zulu basket represents an integral part of Zulu culture that almost disappeared with the introduction of enamels, tin and plastic utensils. For many rural Zulu families, basketmaking is the only income. Every basket is made by hand, with no two baskets ever being the same; even if made by the same weaver. It can take up to a month to produce a medium sized basket. Zulu basketmakers are widely considered among the best in the world.

The Zulu baskets are woven from the Ilala palms and the color is obtained from natural dyes from bark, berries, leaves, clay, roots and dung. The designs are taken from traditional Zulu beadwork and each African Zulu basket is unique in shape, pattern, color, weave and size. The woven patterns on the baskets form symbols which tell stories and can vary enormously. Diamonds signify femininity (daughters or female calves). Triangles represent sons or bull calves which are an important part of Zulu culture as they are used to measure wealth. view baskets...

Lithographs by Nuwa Wamala Nnyanzi

Nuwa Wamala -Nnyanzi a celebrated, self-taught, Ugandan artist of international repute was born on October 28, 1952 in Uganda. Nnyanzi's works of art are in batik, pastel, acrylic, oil and water colors which are earthy, vibrant and reflective of the strong and sweet African sun. The lines of his works flow and turn with the fluency of an African drum. Looking at his art, one feels the vibrant life in an African setting. Nnyanzi started painting in 1978 while in exile in Nairobi, Kenya. read more...

Custom Framing

We carry mouldings by some of the top companies: Larson Juhl, Roma, Southern and Decor. We only use acid free matboard and give you the option of choosing premium clear glass or 99% UV Protection with conservation clear glass, conservation reflection control glass or museum glass. Come in to get a free estimate on your custom framing needs. learn more...

Repairs

We repair and polish Shona Sculptures as well as repair most wooden items. Bring in your item for a free quote.

Have An Art Show

Learn how you can earn money by having an art show at our gallery? You can receive 15% of the sales from your invited guests for the day.

ex. $2500 in sales from your invited guests would give you $375 in Cash, Merchandise or a combination of both. Call for Details: 404-876-8200. Learn more...

Fundraising

Want a Great New Way To Raise Money for Your Organization? Let us show you how. Learn more...